Motor Vehicle Seizure After a DWI in Nassau County

After a DWI arrest, you may be unsure of what steps to take next. In New York, your vehicle will likely be seized and held by the county during your criminal trial. Our firm can represent you in both your criminal DWI case and the civil vehicle seizure process, negotiating to get your motor vehicle returned.

As Nassau County DWI lawyers who are former prosecutors, our team understands the delicate nature of these matters. We work carefully with the county to secure favorable conditions in exchange for the return of your car. In cases where the county moves to retain your vehicle, you will have a retention hearing. While it is not required to have representation during this hearing, we highly advise retaining counsel.

You may not realize that anything you say during this hearing could be used in your criminal trial. Even if you successfully argue to get your vehicle back, it could complicate your criminal case. That is why our firm handles every aspect of your DWI case, both criminal and civil.

Understanding the Criminal & Civil Aspects of a DWI Case

Your DWI case will be split between civil and criminal aspects. When you are pulled over and arrested for DWI, your vehicle is typically seized. This is the civil aspect of your case. You will also have a criminal trial to determine if you will be convicted of DWI and face additional criminal penalties such as jail time, fees, and license suspension. By handling both aspects of your DWI case for you, our DWI attorneys make the process much simpler for you. We’ve been serving the local community for over 25 years and would be honored to help you during this time. We will first try to settle the vehicle forfeiture with the county by coming up with terms to agree upon.

Options to Recover Your Vehicle

As mentioned above, if the county refuses to settle, you will be entitled to a retention hearing, where our attorneys can represent you. Your case will be brought before a judge, who can decide whether or not your car should be returned or held throughout the course of your criminal case. Many people don’t realize how much the hearing for the forfeiture has to do with their criminal case. How you are represented during this hearing can greatly impact your criminal trial.

Why Representation at a Retention Hearing Matters

Many people don’t realize how much the hearing for the forfeiture has to do with their criminal case. How you are represented during this hearing can greatly impact your criminal trial. Anything you say during this civil proceeding may later be used against you in court.